Leroy Anderson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 29, 1908, and died in Woodbury, Connecticut, on May 18, 1975. Approximate performance time is twelve minutes.
Leroy Anderson’s Suite of Carols for string orchestra is one of a trio of such works by the American composer. Anderson wanted to create “a more intimate treatment of other Christmas carols.” However, Anderson did not want to fashion the typical medley of such tunes. Instead, Anderson opted for instrumental suites that featured arrangements of individual Christmas carols. These Suites took the form of works for three kinds of ensembles: “It seemed that one particular carol would sound best with string orchestra, and another one would sound much better with a brass choir, and another would call for the color that you get from woodwinds.”
The Suite of Carols for string orchestra is in six movements:
I. Pastores a Belén (trad. Spanish Carol)
II. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Richard Storrs Willis)
III. O Little Town of Bethlehem (Lewis Redner)
IV. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle (trad. French Carol)
V. Away in a Manger (James Ramsey Murray)
VI. Wassail Song (trad. English Carol)
Program notes by Ken Meltzer